The details of the statement can be found here.
This new guidance confronts some of the myths about who can request to move to a flexible working arrangement. It also explains how employers should see flexible working as a key to retaining and recruiting staff, rather than a burden.
Paul Moloney, PDA Union National Officer welcomed this guidance saying, “We know many members, for many different reasons, would like to work a different pattern than the traditional 5 days a week, 37.5 hours per week that is standard in the NHS. We also know that NHS employers are keen to ensure their employment package is competitive and we are pleased that flexible working patterns are seen as a key recruitment and retention tool. A definite win, win for the NHS and our members.”
The guidance should be read in conjunction with the flexible working policy in place in individual trusts. Paul continued to explain, “Although Agenda for Change is a set of national terms and conditions it delegates responsibility for agreeing Flexible Working Policies to individual trusts who must agree to them with their local staff sides. They can therefore vary from trust to trust.
Together these documents make it clear that flexible working is open to all and is very much a key part of making employment in the NHS attractive so we would encourage any PDA member who feels a changed working pattern would suit their circumstances to make an application.”
PDA members who wish to apply for flexible working should read their local policy and also refer to Section 33 of the Agenda for Change Staff Handbook which sets out the principles that must be incorporated in all local Flexible Working Policies.
PDA members can also contact the PDA Service Centre for advice.
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